Smart container monitoring system

ABSTRACT

A remotely monitorable shipping container including a shipping container body having associated therewith at least one door ( 10 ) and at least one door latch having a latch locking element arranged for locking engagement ( 17 ) with a door mounted locking element, at least one wireless communicator mounted in a secure location within the shipping container and being operative to wirelessly transmit information to a remote monitor regarding the status of an electronic seal mounted onto the locking element for confirming locking of the at least one door, and at least one wireless antenna mounted within a protected enclosure on the outside of the shipping container for transmitting the information from the at least one wireless communicator.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shipping and transportation of goodsand more particularly to remotely monitorable shipping containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following U.S. patents are believed to represent the current stateof the art:

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,750,197; 5,056,837; 5,097,253; 5,127,687; 5,169,188;5,189,396; 5,406,263; 5,421,177; 5,587,702; 5,656,996 and 6,069,563.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved remotely monitorableshipping container.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, a remotely monitorable shipping container including ashipping container body having associated therewith at least one doorand at least one door latch having a latch locking element arranged forlocking engagement with a door mounted locking element, at least onewireless communicator mounted in a secure location within the shippingcontainer and being operative to wirelessly transmit information to aremote monitor regarding the status of an electronic seal mounted ontothe locking element for confirming locking of the at least one door, andat least one wireless antenna mounted within a protected enclosure onthe outside of the shipping container for transmitting the informationfrom the at least one wireless communicator.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the at least one wirelesscommunicator includes a transceiver. Preferably, the latch lockingelement includes a tamper-resistant remotely monitorable electronic sealincluding a shaft portion, a socket arranged to engage the shaft portionin a monitorable manner, whereby disengagement of the socket and theshaft portion results in a monitorable event, and a wirelesscommunicator associated with at least one of the shaft portion and thesocket and being operative to provide a remotely monitorable indicationof the monitorable event.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the remotelymonitorable shipping container also includes at least one sensoroperative to sense at least one condition within the shipping containerand wherein the at least one wireless transmitter and the at least onewireless antenna are operative to wirelessly transmit informationregarding an output of the at least one sensor to a remote monitor.Preferably, the at least one sensor senses at least one of motion,carbon dioxide, infra-red emissions and temperature. Additionally, theat least one wireless communicator also transmits information regardingthe status of the cargo, which is placed in the shipping container body.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the remotelymonitorable shipping container also includes at least one GPS antennafor receiving signals relating to location of the shipping container andlocation reporting circuitry responsive to an output from the at leastone GPS antenna for providing information to the at least one wirelesscommunicator indicating location of the shipping container. Preferably,the at least one wireless communicator includes at least one RFtransmitter. Additionally, the at least one wireless communicatorincludes at least one long range transmitter. Preferably, the at leastone wireless communicator includes a transmitter communicating via atleast one of cellular, radio and satellite communication networks.

There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, a shipping container communications system whichincludes a remotely monitorable shipping container including a shippingcontainer body having associated therewith at least one door and atleast one door latch having a latch locking element arranged for lockingengagement with a door mounted locking element, at least one wirelesscommunicator mounted in a secure location within the shipping containerand being operative to wirelessly transmit information to a remotemonitor regarding the status of an electronic seal mounted onto thelocking element for confirming locking of the at least one door, and atleast one wireless antenna mounted within a protected enclosure on theoutside of the shipping container for transmitting the information fromthe at least one wireless communicator. The shipping containercommunications system also includes at least one remote communicatorcommunicating with the at least one wireless communicator. Preferably,the at least one wireless communicator includes at least onetransceiver, communicating with the at least one remote communicator.Additionally, the at least one remote communicator includes at least oneof a presence sensor and communicator, a remote monitor, and anelectronic seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a shipping containercommunications system constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration showing sealing engagement of a doorlock handle of a shipping container of the type illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional illustration taken along lines III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration showing an alternative embodiment ofsealing engagement of a door lock handle of a shipping container of thetype illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stages inthe assembly of a press-fit electronic seal particularly useful as atamper resistant remotely monitorable electronic seal of the typeillustrated in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are simplified pictorial illustrations of two differenttypes of breaks produced in the press-fit electronic seal of FIGS. 5Aand 5B;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stages inthe assembly of a lockable electronic seal particularly useful as atamper resistant remotely monitorable electronic seal of the typeillustrated in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are simplified pictorial illustrations of two differenttypes of breaks produced in the lockable electronic seal of FIGS. 7A and7B;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stages inthe assembly of a press-fit electronic seal particularly useful as atamper resistant remotely monitorable electronic seal of the typeillustrated in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are simplified pictorial illustrations of twodifferent types of breaks produced in the press-fit electronic seal ofFIGS. 9A and 9B;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stagesin the assembly of a lockable electronic seal particularly useful as atamper resistant remotely monitorable electronic seal of the typeillustrated in FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 12A and 12B are simplified pictorial illustrations of twodifferent types of breaks produced in the lockable electronic seal ofFIGS. 11A and 11B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-3, which illustrate a shippingcontainer communications system constructed and operative in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 1,a shipping container 10, which may be a conventional shipping containeruseful for land and sea transport, is shown in communication withmultiple communicators, including, for example, a presence sensor andcommunicator 12, located at the gate of a port, and a remote monitoringcenter 14, which may communicate via the Internet. It is appreciatedthat any suitable type of shipping container may be employed. The term“shipping container” is used herein in a very broad sense to include anyenclosure in which goods may be transported or stored.

Conventionally, shipping containers employ one or more hasps 15, whichare fixed to door latches and are rotatably engageable withcorresponding lockable members, such as loops 16, in the manner shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Typically, a padlock 17 engages a portion of loop 16which extends through a hasp 15, preventing disengagement of the hasp 15from the loop 16 and thus preventing unlocking of the door. In order toconfirm integrity of the lock, an electronic seal wire 18 is preferablypassed through the loop 16 over the hasp 15. A preferred electronic sealwire is described and claimed in applicant/assignee's U.S. Pat. No.6,069,563, the description of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,first and second plugs 19, electrically communicating with respectivefirst and second ends of the electronic seal wire 18, are removablyreceived in respective sockets 20, which are recessed behind a wall 22of a container door.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, asseen in FIG. 3, the sockets 20 communicate with electronic circuitry 23,which in turn communicates via conductors 24 with RF antennas 26 whichare located within an enclosure 28 defined by an outer wall 30 of thecontainer, typically formed of steel, and a cover 32, preferably formedof plastic or other dielectric material, which does not appreciablyattenuate the output of the RF antennas 26.

Preferably, multiple transceivers forming part of circuitry 23 areemployed for receiving and transmitting information relating to theintegrity of the seal. Each transceiver preferably operates at an RFfrequency characteristic of a given part of the world and communicatesvia corresponding multiple RF antennas 26. Typical transmissionfrequencies are 315 MHz for the Far East, 433 MHz for Europe and 916 MHzfor the U.S.A. Spread spectrum frequencies may also be employed. It isappreciated that alternatively, unidirectional transmitters may beemployed instead of transceivers. The transceivers preferablycommunicate with electronic seals mounted on the container as well aswith external communicators, such as presence sensor and communicator12, located at the gate of a port and remote monitoring center 14.Presence sensor and communicator 12 also may communicate with remotemonitoring center 14.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, GPS and GSM antennas 34 and 36 and/or any other suitable typeof communications antennas may also be located within enclosure 28 andmay communicate with circuitry 23 for transmitting data recorded bycircuitry 23 to the remote monitoring center 14 via antennas 26 and 36.An internal environmental sensor 38, such as one or more sensor whichsenses carbon dioxide presence, infra-red emissions, temperature andmotion may also communicate with circuitry 23. Outputs of sensor 38,which may indicate the presence of contraband within the container mayalso be transmitted via antennas 26 and 36 for remote monitoringthereof.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustrates an alternativeembodiment of locking a shipping container in a shipping containercommunications system constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 4, ashipping container 110, which may be a conventional shipping containeruseful for land and sea transport and which may communicate withmultiple communicators, employs one or more hasps 115 which are fixed todoor latches and are rotatably engageable with corresponding lockablemembers, such as loops 116, in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Here atamper resistant remotely monitorable electronic seal 117 is employedinstead of the padlock 17 described hereinabove with reference to FIGS.1 & 2. The tamper resistant remotely monitorable electronic seal 117,preferred embodiments of which are described hereinbelow with referenceto FIGS. 5A-12B, engages a portion of loop 116 which extends through ahasp 115, preventing disengagement of the hasp from the loop and thuspreventing unlocking of the door. In order to additionally confirmintegrity of the lock, an electronic seal wire 118 is preferably passedthrough the loop 116 over the hasp 115. A preferred electronic seal wireis described and claimed in applicant/assignee's U.S. Pat. No.6,069,563, the description of which is hereby incorporated by reference.In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the electronic seal wire 118 isencased in a reinforced steel sleeve 119.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,first and second plugs 120 electrically communicating with respectivefirst and second ends of the electronic seal wire 118 are removablyreceived in respective sockets 121 which are recessed behind a wall 122of a container door.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thesockets 121 communicate with electronic circuitry (not shown) such ascircuitry 23 (FIG. 3), which in turn communicates with RF antennas whichare located within an enclosure 28 (FIG. 3) defined by an outer wall 124of the container, typically formed of steel, and a cover 125, preferablyformed of plastic or other dielectric material, which does notappreciably attenuate the output of the RF transmitting antennas. It isappreciated that the tamper resistant remotely monitorable seal 117 mayalso communicate directly with presence sensor and communicator 12.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which are simplified pictorialillustrations of two stages in the assembly of a press-fit electronicseal particularly useful as tamper resistant remotely monitorableelectronic seal 117 in the embodiment of FIG. 4.

As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, there is provided a tamper-resistantelectronic seal which preferably comprises a shaft portion 210, which isintegrally formed with or fixed to a sensing circuitry and transceiverportion 212. Shaft portion 210 preferably has a generally cylindricalconfiguration and terminates in a press-fit tip 214, preferably formedwith a series of circumferential teeth 216 which are adapted forpress-fit engagement with corresponding tooth-like recesses formed in asocket 218. The press-fit engagement between tip 214 of shaft portion210 and socket 218 is preferably such that it is impossible to removethe tip 214 from the socket 218 without breaking the shaft portion 210.

Shaft portion 210 preferably includes a weakened frangible portion 220,located intermediate the sensing circuitry and transceiver portion 212and the tip 214. Frangible portion 220 is preferably located closer tosensing circuitry and transceiver portion 212 than to tip 214 andtypically has a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion210.

A conductive loop 222 preferably extends through shaft portion 210through to the tip 214 thereof and is configured and mounted in shaftportion 210, such that breakage of the shaft portion 210 produces adisconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of theconductive loop 222.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,sensing circuitry 224 and an RF transceiver 226 are housed withinsensing circuitry and transceiver portion 212. Sensing circuitry 224 iselectrically coupled to conductive loop 222 and senses the integritythereof. Receiving an output from sensing circuitry 224 is transceiver226, which is operative to provide transmitted information indicatingwhether the conductive loop 222 is intact. Conventional wirelessmonitoring circuitry (not shown) may be employed to receive informationwhich is transmitted by RF transceiver 226 and indicates tampering withthe seal which results in breakage of the shaft portion 210.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A and 6B, which are simplified pictorialillustrations of two different types of breaks produced in the press-fitelectronic seal of FIGS. 5A and 5B. As noted above, application of forceto the seal of FIGS. 6A and 6B in an attempt to separate shaft portion210 from socket 218 will not cause tip 214 to be disengaged from socket218, without first breaking the shaft portion 210. FIG. 6A shows such abreak at a location along the shaft portion 210 which lies just abovethe tip 214. It is seen that this break produces a disconnection orsignificant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop222.

FIG. 6B shows such a break at the frangible portion 220 along the shaftportion 210. It is seen that this break also produces a disconnection orsignificant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop222.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7A and 7B, which are simplified pictorialillustrations of two stages in the assembly of a lockable electronicseal particularly useful as tamper resistant remotely monitorableelectronic seal 117 in the embodiment of FIG. 4.

As seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B, there is provided a tamper-resistantreusable lockable electronic seal which preferably comprises a shaftportion 310, which is integrally formed with or fixed to a sensingcircuitry and transceiver portion 312. Shaft portion 310 preferably hasa generally cylindrical configuration and terminates in a lockable tip314, preferably formed with an undercut groove 315 which is adapted forlockable engagement with a corresponding locking element 316 formingpart of a lock 318, defining a socket, which includes a magnet 319. Lock318 is here shown to be a key-operated lock, it being appreciated thatany other suitable type of lock may be employed. The locking engagementbetween tip 314 of shaft portion 310 and locking element 316 ispreferably such that without first unlocking the lock, it is impossibleto remove the tip 314 from engagement with the locking element 316without breaking the shaft portion 310.

Shaft portion 310 preferably includes a weakened frangible portion 320,located intermediate the sensing circuitry and transceiver portion 312and the tip 314. Frangible portion 320 is preferably located closer tosensing circuitry and transceiver portion 312 than to tip 314 andtypically has a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion310.

A conductive loop 322, including a series connected reed switch 323which is closed by magnet 319 when shaft portion 310 is in lockableengagement with lock 318, preferably extends through shaft portion 310through to the tip 314 thereof and is configured and mounted in shaftportion 310, such that breakage of the shaft portion 310 produces adisconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of theconductive loop 322.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,sensing circuitry 324 and an RF transceiver 326 are housed withinsensing circuitry and transceiver portion 312. Sensing circuitry 324 iselectrically coupled to conductive loop 322 and senses the integritythereof. Receiving an output from sensing circuitry 324 is transceiver326, which is operative to provide transmitted information indicatingwhether the conductive loop 322 is intact. Conventional wirelessmonitoring circuitry (not shown) may be employed to receive informationwhich is transmitted by RF transceiver 326 and indicates when the shaftportion 310 is located in lockable engagement with lock 318 and when theshaft portion 310 is separated from lock 318 due to either tamperingwith the seal, which results in breakage of the shaft portion 310, ordisengagement of shaft portion 310 and lock 318 by using a key to unlocklock 318. It is appreciated that the provision of reed switch 323 andmagnet 319 enables sensing circuitry 324 to sense when the shaft portion310 is located in lockable engagement with lock 318 and also enablessensing circuitry 324 to sense when the shaft portion 310 is separatedfrom lock 318 for any reason, and allows for recording of engagementsand disengagements of shaft portion 310 and lock 318.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8A and 8B, which are simplified pictorialillustrations of two different types of breaks produced in the lockableelectronic seal of FIGS. 7A and 7B. As noted above, application of forceto the seal of FIGS. 8A and 8B in an attempt to separate shaft portion310 from locking element 316 will not cause tip 314 to be disengagedfrom locking element 316, without first breaking the shaft portion 310.FIG. 8A shows such a break at a location along the shaft portion 310which lies just above the tip 314. It is seen that this break produces adisconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of theconductive loop 322.

FIG. 8B shows such a break at the frangible portion 320 along the shaftportion 310. It is seen that this break also produces a disconnection orsignificant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop322.

It is appreciated that the reed switch and magnet shown in theillustrated embodiments of FIGS. 7A-8B can also be used in theembodiments of FIGS. 5A-6B.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 9A and 9B, which are simplified pictorialillustrations of two stages in the assembly of a press-fit electronicseal particularly useful as tamper resistant remotely monitorableelectronic seal 117 in the embodiment of FIG. 4.

As seen in FIGS. 9A and 9B, there is provided a tamper-resistantelectronic seal which preferably comprises a shaft portion 410, which isintegrally formed with or fixed to a sensing circuitry and transceiverportion 412. Shaft portion 410 preferably has a generally cylindricalconfiguration and terminates in a press-fit tip 414, preferably formedwith a series of circumferential teeth 416 which are adapted forpress-fit engagement with corresponding tooth-like recesses formed in asocket 418. The press-fit engagement between tip 414 of shaft portion410 and socket 418 is preferably such that it is impossible to removethe tip 414 from the socket 418 without breaking the shaft portion 410.

Shaft portion 410 preferably includes a weakened frangible portion 420,located intermediate the sensing circuitry and transceiver portion 412and the tip 414. Frangible portion 420 is preferably located closer tosensing circuitry and transceiver portion 412 than to tip 414 andtypically has a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion410.

A pair of elongate conductors 422 and 424 preferably extends throughshaft portion 410 through to the tip 414 thereof and is configured andmounted in shaft portion 410, such that breakage of the shaft portion410 produces a disconnection or significant change in the electricalproperties of at least one and preferably both of conductors 422 and424. Preferably, conductors 422 and 424 communicate with respectivecontacts 426 and 428 which are exposed at the end of tip 414 and arearranged to electrically engage an electrical shorting contact 430 atthe corresponding interior surface of socket 418 when shaft portion 410is fully press-fit mounted into socket 418, thereby defining aconductive loop.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,sensing circuitry 432 and an RF transceiver 434 are housed withinsensing circuitry and transceiver portion 412. Sensing circuitry 432 iselectrically coupled to conductors 422 and 424 and senses the integrityof a conductive loop which is defined by conductors 422 and 424 when theshaft portion 410 is fully seated in socket 418. Receiving an outputfrom sensing circuitry 432 is transceiver 434, which is operative toprovide transmitted information indicating whether the conductive loopis intact. Conventional wireless monitoring circuitry (not shown) may beemployed to receive information which is transmitted by RF transceiver434 and indicates tampering with the seal which results in breakage ofthe shaft portion 410.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 10A and 10B, which are simplifiedpictorial illustrations of two different types of breaks produced in thepress-fit electronic seal of FIGS. 9A and 9B. As noted above,application of force to the seal of FIGS. 10A and 10B in an attempt toseparate shaft portion 410 from socket 418 will not cause tip 414 to bedisengaged from socket 418, without first breaking the shaft portion410. FIG. 10A shows such a break at a location along the shaft portion410 which lies just above the tip 414. It is seen that this breakproduces a disconnection or significant change in the electricalproperties of the conductive loop defined by conductors 422 and 424.

FIG. 10B shows such a break at the frangible portion 420 along the shaftportion 410. It is seen that this break also produces a disconnection orsignificant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 11A and 11B, which are simplifiedpictorial illustrations of two stages in the assembly of a lockableelectronic seal particularly useful as tamper resistant remotelymonitorable electronic seal 117 in the embodiment of FIG. 4.

As seen in FIGS. 11A and 11B, there is provided a tamper-resistantlockable electronic seal which preferably comprises a shaft portion 510,which is integrally formed with or fixed to a sensing circuitry andtransceiver portion 512. Shaft portion 510 preferably has a generallycylindrical configuration and terminates in a lockable tip 514,preferably formed with an undercut groove 515 which is adapted forlockable engagement with a corresponding locking element 516 formingpart of a lock 518, defining a socket, which includes a magnet 519. Lock518 is here shown to be a key-operated lock, it being appreciated thatany other suitable type of lock may be employed. The locking engagementbetween tip 514 of shaft portion 510 and locking element 516 ispreferably such that without first unlocking the lock, it is impossibleto remove the tip 514 from engagement with the locking element 516without breaking the shaft portion 510.

Shaft portion 510 preferably includes a weakened frangible portion 520,located intermediate the sensing circuitry and transceiver portion 512and the tip 514. Frangible portion 520 is preferably located closer tosensing circuitry and transceiver portion 512 than to tip 514 andtypically has a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion510.

A pair of elongate conductors 522 and 524, at least one of whichincludes a series connected reed switch 525 which is closed by magnet519 when shaft portion 510 is in lockable engagement with lock 518,extends through shaft portion 510 through to the tip 514 thereof and isconfigured and mounted in shaft portion 510, such that breakage of theshaft portion 510 produces a disconnection or significant change in theelectrical properties of at least one and preferably both of conductors522 and 524. Preferably, conductors 522 and 524 communicate withrespective contacts 526 and 528 which are exposed at the end of tip 514.Contacts 526 and 528 are arranged to electrically engage an electricalshorting contact 530 at the corresponding interior surface of lock 518when shaft portion 510 is in lockable engagement with lock 518. Thiselectrical engagement, together with the closing of series connectedreed switch 525 by magnet 519, thereby defines a conductive loop.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,sensing circuitry 532 and an RF transceiver 534 are housed withinsensing circuitry and transceiver portion 512. Sensing circuitry 532 iselectrically coupled to conductors 522 and 524 and senses the integrityof a conductive loop which is defined by conductors 522 and 524 when theshaft portion 510 is in lockable engagement with lock 518. Receiving anoutput from sensing circuitry 532 is transceiver 534, which is operativeto provide transmitted information indicating whether the conductiveloop is intact. Conventional wireless monitoring circuitry (not shown)may be employed to receive information which is transmitted by RFtransceiver 534 and indicates when the shaft portion 510 is located inlockable engagement with lock 518 and when the shaft portion 510 isseparated from lock 518 due to either tampering with the seal, whichresults in breakage of the shaft portion 510, or disengagement of shaftportion 510 and lock 518 by using a key to unlock lock 518. It isappreciated that the provision of reed switch 525 and magnet 519 enablessensing circuitry 532 to sense when the shaft portion 510 is located inlockable engagement with lock 518 and also enables sensing circuitry 532to sense when the shaft portion 510 is separated from lock 518 for anyreason, and allows for recording of engagements and disengagements ofshaft portion 510 and lock 518.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 12A and 12B, which are simplifiedpictorial illustrations of two different types of breaks produced in thelockable electronic seal of FIGS. 11A and 11B. As noted above,application of force to the seal of FIGS. 12A and 12B in an attempt toseparate shaft portion 510 from locking element 516 will not cause tip514 to be disengaged from locking element 516, without first breakingthe shaft portion 510. FIG. 12A shows such a break at a location alongthe shaft portion 510 which lies just above the tip 514. It is seen thatthis break produces a disconnection or significant change in theelectrical properties of the conductive loop defined by conductors 522and 524.

FIG. 12B shows such a break at the frangible portion 520 along the shaftportion 510. It is seen that this break also produces a disconnection orsignificant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loopdefined by conductors 522 and 524.

It is appreciated that the reed switch and magnet shown in theillustrated embodiments of FIGS. 11A-12B can also be used in theembodiments of FIGS. 9A-10B.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present inventionincludes both combinations and subcombinations of the various featuresdescribed hereinabove as well as variations and modifications whichwould occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the specificationand which are not in the prior art.

1. A remotely monitorable shipping container comprising: a shippingcontainer body having associated therewith at least one door and atleast one door latch having a latch locking element arranged for lockingengagement with a door mounted locking element; at least one wirelesscommunicator operative to wirelessly transmit information regarding thestatus of an electronic seal mounted onto the locking element forconfirming locking of the at least one door; and at least one wirelessantenna mounted within a protected enclosure on the outside of theshipping container for transmitting the information from the at leastone wireless communicator, at least a portion of said protectedenclosure being formed of a material which does not appreciablyattenuate the output of said at least one wireless antenna.
 2. Aremotely monitorable shipping container according to claim 1 and whereinthe at least one wireless communicator comprises a transceiver.
 3. Aremotely monitorable shipping container according to claim 2 and alsocomprising at least one GPS antenna for receiving signals relating tolocation of the shipping container and location reporting circuitryresponsive to an output from the at least one GPS antenna for providinginformation to the at least one wireless communicator indicatinglocation of the shipping container.
 4. A remotely monitorable shippingcontainer according to claim 2 and wherein the at least one wirelesscommunicator comprises at least one RF transmitter.
 5. A remotelymonitorable shipping container according to claim 2 and wherein the atleast one wireless communicator comprises at least one long rangetransmitter.
 6. A remotely monitorable shipping container according toclaim 2 and wherein the at least one wireless communicator comprises atransmitter communicating via at least one of cellular, radio andsatellite communication networks.
 7. A remotely monitorable shippingcontainer according to claim 1 and wherein the latch locking elementcomprises a tamper-resistant remotely monitorable electronic sealcomprising: a shaft portion; a socket arranged to engage the shaftportion in a monitorable manner, whereby disengagement of the socket andthe shaft portion results in a monitorable event; and a wirelesscommunicator associated with at least one of the shaft portion and thesocket and being operative to provide a remotely monitorable indicationof the monitorable event.
 8. A remotely monitorable shipping containeraccording to claim 7 and also comprising at least one GPS antenna forreceiving signals relating to location of the shipping container andlocation reporting circuitry responsive to an output from the at leastone GPS antenna for providing information to the at least one wirelesscommunicator indicating location of the shipping container.
 9. Aremotely monitorable shipping container according to claim 7 and whereinthe at least one wireless communicator comprises at least one RFtransmitter.
 10. A remotely monitorable shipping container according toclaim 7 and wherein the at least one wireless communicator comprises atleast one long range transmitter.
 11. A remotely monitorable shippingcontainer according to claim 1 and also comprising at least one sensoroperative to sense at least one condition within the shipping containerand wherein the at least one wireless communicator and the at least onewireless antenna are operative to wirelessly transmit informationregarding an output of the at least one sensor to a remote monitor. 12.A remotely monitorable shipping container according to claim 11, andwherein the at least one sensor senses at least one of carbon dioxide,infra-red emissions and temperature.
 13. A remotely monitorable shippingcontainer according to claim 11 and wherein the at least one wirelesscommunicator also transmits information regarding the status of cargo,within said shipping container body.
 14. A remotely monitorable shippingcontainer according to claim 1 and also comprising at least one GPSantenna for receiving signals relating to location of the shippingcontainer and location reporting circuitry responsive to an output fromthe at least one GPS antenna for providing information to the at leastone wireless communicator indicating location of the shipping container.15. A remotely monitorable shipping-container according to claim 1 andwherein the at least one wireless communicator comprises at least one RFtransmitter.
 16. A remotely monitorable shipping container according toclaim 1 and wherein the at least one wireless communicator comprises atleast one long range transmitter.
 17. A remotely monitorable shippingcontainer according to claim 1 and wherein the at least one wirelesscommunicator comprises a transmitter communicating via at least one ofcellular, radio and satellite communication networks.
 18. A shippingcontainer communications systems comprising: a remotely monitorableshipping container including: a shipping container body havingassociated therewith at least one door and at least one door latchhaving a latch locking element arranged for locking engagement with adoor mounted locking element; at least one wireless communicatoroperative to wirelessly transmit information regarding the status of anelectronic seal mounted onto the locking element for confirming lockingof the at least one door; and at least one wireless antenna mountedwithin a protected enclosure on the outside of the shipping containerfor transmitting the information from the at least one wirelesscommunicator, at least a portion of said protected enclosure beingformed of a material which does not appreciably attenuate the output ofsaid at least one wireless antenna; and at least one remote communicatorcommunicating with the at least one wireless communicator.
 19. Ashipping container communications system according to claim 18 andwherein the at least one remote communicator comprises at least one of:a presence sensor and communicator; a remote monitor; and an electronicseal.
 20. A shipping container communications system according to claim18 and wherein the at least one wireless communicator comprises at leastone transceiver, communicating with the at least one remote communicatorand wherein: the at least one remote communicator comprises at least oneof: a presence sensor and communicator; a remote monitor; and anelectronic seal.
 21. A remotely monitorable shipping container accordingto claim 1 and also comprising at least one sensor operative to sense atleast one of carbon dioxide and motion within the shipping container andwherein the at least one wireless communicator and the at least onewireless antenna are operative to wirelessly transmit informationregarding an output of the at least one sensor to a remote monitor. 22.A shipping container communications system according to claim 18 andalso comprising at least one sensor operative to sense at least one ofcarbon dioxide and motion within the shipping container and wherein theat least one wireless communicator and the at least one wireless antennaare operative to wirelessly-transmit information regarding an output ofthe at least one sensor to a remote monitor.